Cleaning machine



April 15, 19411` A. J. DUAEI ET AL l 2,238,720

CLEANING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 7, 195s l l l April 15,1941 A. J. DUAEI ETAL 2,238,720

CLEANING MACHINE Fild Feb. 7, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 15, 1941.

A. J, DUAEI ETI'AL CLEANING MACHINE 4 sheets-shet 5 Filed Feb. '7, 1938April 15, 194 A. J. DUAl-:l ETAL 2,238,720

CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 7, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7% Jaja/4, A

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pivot mounting of the machine.

Patented Apr. 15, 1941 CLEANING MACHINE Alexander J. Duaei, Lombard, andEdward C. Van Cura, Brookfield, Ill.; said Van Cura assgnor to saidDuaei Application February 7, 1938, Serial No. 189,154

4 Claims.

This invention relates to cleaning machines, more particularly tomachines for cleaning the external surface of cylindrical objects, suchas pipes, and has for its principal object the provision of a new andimproved machine of this type.

It is the main object of the invention to provide a cleaning machineadapted to be used in conjunction with a pipe-coating machine.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a cleaningmachine adapted to be readily adjusted for use in cleaning objects ofdifferent sizes.

Still another object of the invention lines in the provision of acleaning machine that is of simple, rugged construction and capable ofwithstanding hard usage. Y

Still a further object of the invention lies in the provision of acleaning machine that can be built and maintained at low cost.

Further objects of the invention not specically mentioned here will beapparent to one skilled in the art from the detailed description andclaims that follow, reference being had to the accompanying drawings inwhich a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of exampleand in which:

Figure l is an end elevational view of a machine embodying the teachingsof the invention;

Figure 2 is a sideelevational view of the machine shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine, partly in section, takensubstantially along the lines 3 3 of Figure l, looking in the directionof the arrows;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 ofFigure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing theadjusting mechanism;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 6 in Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the bearing and Pipesthat are tobeused underground to conduct protective coating is appliedwhile the pipe is in lengths as received from the pipe mill.

Before the protective coating can be applied to a pipe the pipe must bethoroughly cleaned to remove all rust, scale and dirt that may beadhering to its surface and then a coat of primer must be applied to thepipe. Frequently the priming coat is applied at the pipe mill and thepipe then shipped to a coating mill where the protective coating isapplied. This method of operation has certain disadvantages which arisefrom the fact that it frequently happens that the priming coat will bedamaged in shipment and the damage must be repaired before the pipe canbe coated. It is preferable, therefore, that the pipe be shipped fromthe pipe mill to the coating mill before the priming coat is applied andboth the priming and protective coatings be put on at the coating mill.

When unprotected pipe is shipped and stored, preparatory to runningthrough a coating mill, considerable time elapses between the time thatthe pipe was made and the time at which it is primed and coated, and asa result there is an appreciable coating of rust upon the pipe whichmust be removed before the priming and coating operations can besatisfactorily performed. The

present invention relates particularly to a machine for performing thisoperation, although, as will be apparent tovthose skilled in the art,the machine may be put to other uses within the teachings of theinvention.

The prior patent of Mickelson & Duaei, 2,048,557 shows a pipe coatingmachine that is adapted to rotate and simultaneously move longitudinallypipe lengths or rods that are being coated. The machine of the presentinvention is adapted to be used in connection with a coating machine ofthis type although it may be used as a separate unit if desired.

The machine of the present invention consists essentially of a pair ofpivoted arms in each of which is journalled an arbor upon whichcleaning-` brushes or bufling wheels, or both, are mounted'. Drivingmeans are provided for rotating the arbors in opposite directions andadjusting means are provided to move the arms on' their pivots, to bringthe brushes into and out of engagement with -the pipes that are beingcleaned. Since the coating machine of the type disclosed in theforegoing patentisl capable 4of handling a number of different sizes ofpipe the adjusting mechanism of the cleaning machine must be capable ofarranging`4 the vmachine to accommodate pipes of corresponding sizes;

As the pipe is rotated and simultaneously advanced the revolving brushesand buing means of the cleaning machine is moved over the exteriorsurface of the pipe to clean and burnish. the same thereby putting thatsurface in condition to receive the priming coat.

Preferably the brushes used in the cleaning machine are steel bristlecircular brushes having bristles sufficiently stiff to remove from thepipe any rust, dirt or scale that may be adhering thereto.

The adjusting mechanism of the cleaning inachine includes tensioningmeans so that the tension of the brushes upon the pipe may be varied asrequired to insure that the surface of the pipe will be thoroughlycleaned.

It will be noted that the coating machine of the foregoing patent isprovided with the side frame members or rails which extend fromthemachine in both directions and serve as tracks over which the pipecarriers are moved in the operation of the machine. The cleaning machineshown in the drawings herein, by way of example, is adapted to besupported upon these side frame members, although it will be appare entthat other supporting means may be provided within the teachings of theinvention.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, particularly Figures 1 and3, it will be noted that the side frame members of the coating machineshown in the foregoing patent are shown at I and 2 and consist ofangle-irons, disposed in a substantially horizontal position. Theframework of the cleaning machine consists of main frame members 3 and dwhich are angles extend ing between the rails I and 2 and are securedthereto in any preferred manner such as by bolts 5.

A plate B is secured to the undersides of the horizontal portions of theangle members 3 and 4, preferably by welding and extends between thesemembers, the plate being centered upon the frame members and in themachine. A bar 'I extends parallel to the plate E on the median line ofthe machine and between the frame members 3 and 4, being fixed theretopreferably by welding.

Depending from the underside of the plate 5 at opposite ends thereof areend plates 8 and 9, best seen in Figure 2, which are secured to theplate I5, preferably by welding. The plates 8 and 9 are connectedtogether at their lower free end by a cross-frame member I0 which isdisposed substantially parallel to the plate 6. The framework thusformed constitutes a main framework or base for the cleaning machineupon which the instrumentalities of the machine are mounted, as willpresently appear.

The frame members 3 and 4 of the machine are each provided with a pairof bearings and pivots, shown in detail in Figure 6. The pivot consistsof a steel pipe-like bushing II, forced into a perforation in thevertical portion of the angle frame member and secured therein in anypreferred manner such as by welding. The bearing member consists of aself-contained, self-aligning, ballbearing, comprising a cup-likehousing I2, a stationary race I3, balls I4, and a movable race I5.Bearing assemblies of this type are a standard product available on theopen market.

The housing I2 containsa flange which abuts against the Vertical portionof the angle 3 and is secured thereto by'bolts I 6, as best seen inFigures 1, 2 and 3. The bearing is located upon the frame member so thata shaft carried in the movable race will be concentric with the pivotsleeve I I.

As will be seen in Figures 1 and 3, two shafts, I'I and I8, arejournalled in the framework and disposed parallel to each other and tothe side rail members I and 2 of the coating machine.

Pivot sleeves II serve as supports for arms I9 which are generallyA-shaped structures bifurcated at their free upper ends. Two such armsare provided, the one associated with the shaft Il and the other withthe shaft I8.

Each arm I9 carries at its free end a pair of bearings` 20 and 2I whichin the drawings are identical in structure with the bearing shown indetail in Figure 6 and serve as journals for an arbor 22. A sprocketwheel 23 is fixed upon the arbor 22' between the bifurcated ends of thearm and in alignment with a similar sprocket wheel 24, Figure 2, mountedupon the shaft I3. A driving chain 25 encircles the two sprocket wheelsso that the arbor will be rotated in the same direction as the shaft I8.As shown in the drawings, sprocket wheels 23 and 24 have the sainenumber of teeth so that the arbor 22 will be driven at the same speed asthe shaft I3. Obviously, the arbor may be driven at a speed differentfrom that of the shaft I8 by providing sprocket wheels 23 and 24 whichhave different numbers of teeth.

Arbor 22 projects outwardly from bearings 29 and 2l and is threaded atits outer ends to receive nuts 26 and 21. A plurality of standardcircular wire bristle brushes 28 are fitted over the arbor with spacingwashers 29 therebetween and the assembly locked tight thereon by thenuts 26 and 2'1. Similar brushes may be Xed on the other end of thearbor, if desired, or buiiing wheels may be substituted therefor andsecured to the arbor in the same manner.

The other arm I9 that is pivoted concentric with the shaft Il is ofidentical construction and need not be described in detail herein.

As will be seen in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the downwardly depending endplates 8 and 9 are each provided with two bearings 39 which are shown asidentical with the bearings shown in detail in Figure 6. Shafts 3I and32 are journalled in the framework by these bearings 3i) and aredisposed parallel to and beneath shafts Il and I8. Shaft 3| carries agear 33 which meshes with Ia similar gear 34 carried by shaft 32 so.that as the one shaft is driven it serves as a driver for the othershaft to rotate the latter in the opposite direction. As will be seen inFigure 2, shaft 32 carries a sprocket wheel 35 that is aligned with asprocket Wheel 36 upon shaft I8, the two sprocket wheels being connectedtogether by a driving chain 31 so that the shafts 32 and I 3 will berotated in the same direction. As shown in the drawings, sprocket wheels35 and 35 have the same number of teeth and the two shafts will,therefore, rotate at the same speed. As will be seen in Figure 2, shaft32 also carries another sprocket Wheel Iaround which is threaded adriving chain 38 that is connected to a source of power for the machine.This source of power may be an electric motor or gasoline engine orother suitable source of power as required and has been omitted from thedrawings to avoid an unnecessary complication.

Shaft 3| is connected to shaft il' in a similar manner by a chain 31'which encircles a sprocket wheel 35 on the shaft 3| and a sprocket wheel36 on the shaft I T. Sprocket wheels 35 and 38' preferably have the samenumber of teeth as do sprockets 35 and 36.

From the foregoing,

it will be apparent that as the shaft 32 is driven through chain 38,shaft I8 and arbor 22 will be driven in the same direction and at thesame speed and that through the operation of gears 33 and 34, shaft 3l,shaft I1 and the arbor connected thereto, will be driven in an oppositedirection and at the same speed as the shaft 32.

It has been found that the cleaning brushes of the machine will do goodwork and have a satisfactory life when driven at about 1800 revolutionsper minute. If the machine is driven by an electric motor having a fullload speed of about 1'150 revolutions per minute, a 1-to-1 speed ratiogearing has been found to be satisfactory, and such ratio is used in thedrawings. The speeds given here by way of example are, however, subjectto change within theteachings of the invention. i

In order to hold arms I9 fixed with respect to their pivots and to movethem around the axis of those pivots to adjust the machine, an adjustingmeans is provided. This consists of a main adjusting screw 40 that isup-standing from the plate 6 at the middle point of the plate, the screwbeing supported in a bushing 4I which extends through the plate 6 and isnested in a collar 42 welded to the underf'ace of the plate. The upperend of the screw 40 is collared as shown at 43 and the collar registeredwith a perforation in the cross-bar 1 of the frame. A toggle nut 44 issupported upon the thread of 40 and adapted to move 1 upwardly anddownwardly of the machine as thev v screw 40 is rotated.

In order to rotate the screw a bevel gear 45 is fixed upon the lower endof the screw below the collar 42 and meshed with a similar bevel gear 46that is fixed upon a shaft 41 Shaft 41 is journalled by a suitablebushing 48 disposed in thev cross-frame member I and extends outwardlytothe side of the machine as will be seen in Figure 1. The outer end ofthe shaft 41 is supported by plate 49, fixed upon the side frame memberI, preferably by bolts. The outer end of the shaft 41 is equipped with abevel gear 50 which meshes with a similar bevel gear I carried upon ashaft 52 that extends upwardly alongside the side rail I of the coatingmachine frame and is equipped with a hand wheel 53; suitable brackets 54and 55 support the shaft 52, these brackets preferably being equippedwith bushings composed of bronze or other low friction metal.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that by turning the hand wheel,adjusting screw 24 may be rotated to move the toggle-nut 44.

As will be seen in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, togglenut 44 carries a shaft58 which serves as a support for one end of a pair of rods 59 and 60,which rods are secured thereto, preferably by set screws. Rods 59 and 60extend through corresponding perforations in the arm I9 and are threadedat their free ends. The perforations in the arm I9 are countersunk to`provide seating surfaces for a round-nosed end of a nut 6I carried uponthe rod 59, and a nut 62 carried upon the rod 60. The opposite face ofthe arm I8 is likewise countersunk to yprovide seats for the round-nosedcollars 63 carried by the rods 59 and 60. A spring 64 encircles the rod59 and is held thereon by nut 65 and a similar spring 66 encircles therod 60 and is held thereon by a nut 61.

Toggle-nut 44 also supports a second shaft 68, to which a pair of rods69 and 10 are secured and extended through the other arm I9 of themachine. The arrangement and purpose of rods 69 and is the same as thearrangement and purpose of rods 59 and 60,- and further explanation isnot necessary.

The use of two rods engaging each of the arms I9 serves the dual purposeof holding the arms against movement around their pivots and alsoagainst warping. It will be apparent that as one of the cleaning meanson the arms engages a pipe while the cleaning means on the other `end ofthe arbor is out of engagement therewith, there vwill be set up in thearms forces tending to rotate the arm around its longitudinal medianline, that is at right angles to the pivotal axis. The pair of rods arespaced far enough apart to resist such forces and, therefore, reducecross strains upon the pivots.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the toggle-nut 44 is stopped at the upperend of the adjusting screw 40 against the cross-bar 1, at which timearms I9 will be in substantially vertical position, being held there bynuts 6I and 62 and springs 64 and 66 engaging one of the arms and by thecorresponding nuts and springs on the other arm. As the adjusting screwis turned to move togglenut 44 downwardly, arms I9 will be moved out ofvertical position and inwardly of the machine to bring the brushes intoengagement with a pipe that is to be cleaned. After the bristlesv of thebrush have engaged the pipe, further movement of the adjusting screwwill move rods 59, 60, 69 and 10 so as to back nuts 6I and 62 thereonaway from the arms and to move collar 63 towards nuts to tension thesprings 64 and 66 and the corresponding springs on rods 69 and 10,thereby regulating the tension of the bristles upon the Dlpe.

The amount of movement that arms I9 must make will, of course, dependupon the range of pipe sizes that the machine is designed to handle,this range being indicated by concentric circles 1I and 12, in Figure l.As shown in the drawings, the machine is proportioned so as to handlepipes from 3A; inch up to six inches inside diameter. Other sizes may beaccommodated by suitable changes in the structure, within the teachingsof the invention.

The cleaning machine thus formed may be used either in advance of orfollowing the propelling mechanism of a coating machine, such as isshown in the above mentioned Patent 2,048,557. In either case, the pipewill be rotated about its own axis at uniform speed and simultaneouslyadvanced a fixed distance per revolution longitudinally along said axis.The revolving brushes on the spindles of the cleaning machine will bebrought into engagement with each unit area onthe surface of the pipe toclean that surface by removing all rust and foreign materials therefrom.When two sets of brushes are used on each arbor of the cleaning machine,each unit of area of the pipe surface will be worked on twice by thebrushes. When one set of brushes ion each arbor is replaced by a set ofbuiiing wheels, the surface of the pipe will be buffed as well asbrushed, so as to properly prepare it for priming and coating. In mostinstances, however, each arbor will carry two sets of brushes as bufiinga pipe is seldom necessary.

The rust, scale and foreign materials removed from the surface of thepipe form a ldust which may be abrasive and to guard the working partsof the machine therefrom, the chains, sprocket wheels and shafts arehoused in suitable housings. Since the use of housings for this purposeis old and well understood by those skilled in the art. all protectivehousings havebeen omitted from the drawings to avoid unnecessarycomplications thereof.

Throughout the specication, the object being cleaned has been mentionedas being a pipe but it will be apparent that rods or any othercylindrical objects may equally well be cleaned in thetially cylindricalobjects, a frame, a pair of arms disposed upon opposite sides of theobjects being cleaned, pivot means mounting said arms on said frame, anarbor journalled in each one of said arms, cleaning means fixed uponeach one of said arbors, means for driving said arbors and cleaningmeans, toggle means for adjusting said arms including rods extendingthrough the arms, and

. spring means connecting said arrns to said rods and operable to permitsaid arms to move to permit said brushes to follow irregularities in thecontour of the object being cleaned.

2. In a cleaning machine, a frame, a pair of symmetrical arms, pairs ofpivots for mounting each of said arms upon the frame, an arborjournalled in the free end of each arm and extending therebeyond,cleaning means fixed upon each one of the projecting ends of saidarbors, means located midway between said pairs of pivots for rotatingsaid arbors and cleaning means, a pair of rods for each arm extendingthrough the arm at points equi-distant from the median line of the arm,an adjusting screw journalled in said frame to which said rods areconnected, and meansI connecting the rods to the arms to cause theadjusting screw to move the arms around said pivot means to adjust thearms.

3. In a cleaning machine, a frame, a shaft journalled in said frame, apair of sleeves concentric with and spaced from said shaft and xed tosaid frame, an arm journalled on said sleeves, an arbor journalled inthe free end of said arm for rotation about an axis parallel to the axisof said shaft, driving means connecting said arbor to said shaft,cleaning means xed upon said arbor, a second shaft journalled in saidframe for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of said rst shaft,a second pair of sleeves concentric with and spaced from said secondshaft and xed to said frame, a second arm journalled on said second pairof sleeves, an arbor journalled in said second arm for rotation about anaxis parallel to the axis of said second shaft, driving means connectingsai-d second arbor to said second shaft, cleaning means xed on saidsecond arbor, means on said frame for rotating said rst and secondshafts in opposite directions thereby to rotate said cleaning means, andmeans on said frame engaging said arms between said sleeves and saidarbors for rotating the arms in opposite directions around said pairs ofsleeves to adjust said arms.

4. In a cleaning machine, a frame, a pair of arms pivoted to said framefor rotation about parallel axes, rotatable cleaning means mounted uponsaid arms, means for rotating said cleaning arms, an adjusting screwjournalled in said frame, a collar threaded on said screw, a pair ofthreaded rods pivoted to said collar and extending through one of saidarms, a second pair of threaded rods pivoted on said collar andextending through the second one of said arms, threaded collars on saidrods engaging one face of the arm through which the rods extend, collarson said rods engaging the other face of the arm through which the rodsextend, springs engaging said last mentioned collars, nuts on said rodsfor adjusting the tension of said springs, and means for rotating saidscrew thereby to move said arms to bring said cleaning means into andout of engagement with the work being cleaned.

ALEXANDER J. DUAEI. EDWARD C. VAN CURA.

